156 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



Especial care is taken to exact a proj^er soldierly bearing only by degrees, for too much, 

 attention to it in the beginning produces stiffness in the position, facings, and marching, 

 exhausts the men and does more harm than good. Every day, except on days of rest and feasts, 

 the recruits are assembled by companies, half an hour before dinner or supper, and the signals 

 are blown for their instruction. 



3d month. — The recruits are carefully and correctly taught the facings, marching, loading as 

 skirmishers without the motions. 



After this the instruction proceeds regularly, as laid down in the school of the recruit. 



There should be two drills each day ; each drill lasting not longer than from one hour to one 

 hour and a half. 



The position of the soldier is essentially the same as in the United States tactics. 



The facings are made by turning on the left heel, steadying the cartridge box with the right 

 hand. 



The about-face is made to the left, instead of to the right ; instead of placing the right foot 

 behind the left, it is carried forward until the heel is against the joint of the left great toe ; the 

 turn is made on both heels, and the right heel brought up on the same line with the left, on the 

 completion of the movement. 



MARCHING. 



The recruit is instructed in marching by the numbers, first in 3 motions, then in 2, finally in 1. 



TO MARCH IN THREE MOTIONS. 



1st motion. — (PI. 1, fig. 1.) Without moving the body or hip, advance the left foot just clear 

 of the right, the toe touching the ground, heel a little raised, knee straight. 



2d motion. — (PI. 1, fig. 2.) Kaise the left foot, and move it nearly 28 inches in front of the 

 right heel, knee straight, foot parallel to, and 10^ inches above, the ground. 



3c? motion. — PL 1. fig. 3.) Incline the body gently forward, plant the left foot flat on the 

 ground, 28 inches from the right, (from heel to heel,) rest the weight of the body on the left 

 leg, and bring the right foot to the position shown in the plate. 



The right foot is then advanced, by the motions, as described for the left foot. 



The recruit being well instructed in marching in 3 motions, is required to execute the same 

 thing in 2 motions : 



1st motion. — Execute the first two motions of the preceding. 



2d motion. — Execute the third motion of the preceding, with the difference that the right foot 

 does not remain in rear, as shown in PL 1, fig. 3, but is at once moved forward. 



The march in one motion is executed according to the principles just laid down. 



Common time is at the rate of from 70 to 72 steps per minute, each step 28 inches, from heel 

 to heel. 



Quick time is at the rate of 110 stejjs per minute, and 28 inches long. 



The free step differs from the last only in a free swinging of the arms being permitted ; the 

 musket is carried at a slope, the right arm swinging freely, across the body, from the elbow 

 down, in cadence with the step ; this step is much used, even when passing in review. 



The run is at the rate of 150 steps per minute, each step 28 inches ; the piece is carried at a 

 trail, the left hand steadying the cartridge box. 



The individual oblique step does not differ essentially from that in Scott's tactics. 



The roiUe step is at the rate of 100 steps a minute, and is of the usual length of 28 inches, so 



